Naperville Area CHamber of Commerce Government Affairs Roundup

After very controversial debates over three very lengthy city council meetings, the Naperville City Council has voted to prohibit the adult use cannabis business establishments in Naperville, i.e. opting out of cannabis retail sales. One caveat to the motion, is to explore the possibility of offering a referendum on the ballot of an upcoming election to allow resident weigh-in. Whether that will be the March 2020 primary election, the November 2020 U.S. election or the April 2021 municipal election, will be discussed at upcoming city council meetings.

This is one of the most complex issues facing the City of Naperville in a while. Proponents of opting out voiced concerns over messages given to our area youth, drawing correlation between availability and increased use. Proponents of opting in sighted use of the additional tax revenues from cannabis retail sales tax for drug education programs for our youth and more control of location, zoning, etc. Hats off to our city council members for closely examining all the complexities of this issue prior to casting their vote.

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce maintained a neutral position throughout the debates, only requesting City Council to pump the brakes and take time for staff to conduct needed research and analysis of what a potential opt-in regulatory structure would look like, so that an educated decision could be made.

The Chamber plans to host a forum soon, comprised on national and international researchers to speak to the impact of cannabis retail outlets on the business community. Public safety, control and enforcement of adult-use products, economic development opportunities and realistic tax revenues projections are also issues to be explored in the forum.

NACC will keep you “In the Know” as we as a community moved into this new era as recreational cannabis use becomes legal January 1, 2020.